Monday, July 6, 2026

Monday, July 6, 2026

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Arts becomes six schools 

A view of Hagey Hall featuring the "ARTS" letters across glass.

A message from Alexie Tcheuyap, Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

Last fall, the Board of Governors granted final approval of our proposal to reorganize the Faculty of Arts into larger, but fewer academic units. Today, I am very pleased to share that Arts has formally launched our new organizational structure as six schools: 

  • The School of Critical and Creative Humanities includes all programming and research from Communication Arts, English Language & Literature, Fine Arts, French Studies, Germanic & Slavic Studies, Spanish & Latin American Studies. 

  • The former departments of Economics and Psychology are renamed the School of Economics and the School of Psychology.  

  • The existing School of Accounting and Finance and Stratford School of Interaction Design & Business will continue.  

Since Board approval in October, tremendous commitment and effort have been made by faculty and staff, particularly in the two new multidisciplinary schools and in my office, to prepare for this moment. We have elected new school directors, appointed school governance roles, and reappointed current staff to new roles within the two new schools. I am so grateful for the patience, cooperation and support of my colleagues during this transition. We have done it together! 

Now we look to the future. Our new structure positions Arts not just to adapt but to lead, especially in the context of evolving educational and economic priorities. Every one of us — students, faculty, staff, alumni, partners — are experiencing rapid technological change, pressing social challenges, and real fiscal constraints. I firmly believe the research and teaching in Waterloo Arts provides the perspective and skills for understanding complexity and shaping a more positive future. 

Our six schools are leaning into their core strengths while also collaborating across our disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, creative and media arts. We are already well underway in developing new interdisciplinary programming, research and public engagement plans. In fact, we have just selected the successful proposals for our new Schools Interdisciplinary Research Projects, which are generously supported by the Vice President, Research and International. I’m looking forward to announcing these timely projects, along with other brand-new signature initiatives, in the coming weeks and months.  

This is our moment. And I cannot be more energised by what lies ahead. So, stay tuned.

Welcoming Waterloo's newest Warriors

A message from the Student Success Office. 

This summer, thousands of incoming undergraduate students are beginning their transition to the University of Waterloo through Waterloo Ready, the University's pre-arrival transition program. 

Designed to help students feel informed, connected and prepared for September, Waterloo Ready offers a range of opportunities to engage with the Waterloo community before classes begin. Programming includes weekly emails, webinars, LEARN modules, and Faculty Ready Days. 

Faculty Ready Days start tomorrow, July 7, and take place throughout July across all six faculties. Students and their supporters will visit campus, connect with their faculty, and learn more about the resources available to support their success. Visit the Welcome Warriors website to learn more. Through Waterloo Ready, students build connections with peers, staff, and faculty members, learn about key campus services, and gain the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate their first year. 

Bike Fair and beyond

Student rides a bike up Ring Road.

A message from Sustainable Transportation. 

On Wednesday, June 24, the Sustainability Office collaborated with Sustainable Transportation to host the annual Bike Fair. The event welcomed over 300 participants and more than 10 partners for a day focused on active and sustainable transportation. At the event, 32 bikes were registered with Project 529 with support from Special Constables, and 20 bike locks subsidized by Sustainable Transportation were sold through the WUSA Bike Centre, helping improve bike security on campus.  

Missed the Project 529 registration rally? No problem! We have a few more planned for this summer. Bring your bike to register and get a free 529 shield.  

To support your active commute this summer, Sustainable Transportation offers: 

  • Enclosed and locked bike parking by permit at the indoor bike room and bike cage on main campus, as well as the new Bikehangar at the School of Architecture in Cambridge 

  • Free open-air bike racks around campus. Explore the online map to view locations, photos, and to see whether a rack is sheltered – perfect for planning on rainy days 

Visit the Sustainable Transportation website to learn more about services available to support your commute.

Test of the emergency notification system tomorrow

A person holds up a smartphone with the ReGroup mobile app on it.

On Tuesday, July 7, the University will conduct a campus-wide test of the Emergency Notification System (ENS) provided by Regroup.

The test will send messages through the following channels:

What you need to do before the test:

  1. Download the Regroup Mobile app and complete the login and recommended settings.
  2. Confirm your cell phone number is up to date:
    • Staff: update it in the Regroup app
    • Students: update it in Quest
  3. Install the Desktop Alert tool on your computer if it is not managed by the University.

If you have questions about the test or need help installing the Regroup app or Desktop Alert, please email ens@uwaterloo.ca.

When and Where

The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.

The privately-run Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.

The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.

Warriors Youth Swim Lessons, registration is now open for LTS Child/Youth Preschool 1 – Swimmer 9. Group and private lessons available. Register today!

Warriors Summer Youth Camps, registration is now open for multi-sport and games, baseball, basketball, eSports, football and hockey camps for boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Register today!

NEW - Project 529 Bike Registry Registration Rallies: Tuesday, July 7, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Thursday, July 9, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at QNC/MC bike racks (by the overpass); Tuesday, July 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 22, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at CPH/Ring Road. Let’s end bike theft. Bring your bike to register it and get a free 529 shield.

NEW - Kitchener Waterloo Chamber Music Society (KWCMS) and IQC present an evening of music with Jung Tsai (violin) and Daniel Ramjattan (guitar). Friday, July 10, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., QNC 0101.

Teaching with Tech: A Practical ViewBoard Workshop – In-Person (TII 5010), Monday, July 13, 2 to 3 p.m., LIB 329 (Tech Sandbox)

Community Well-being Fruit and Veg Market, Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in PSE and SLC (while supplies last). Can't make it? Save the date for the next market on July 29.

The Co-op Workplace Simulation by Velocity, Tuesday, Jul 21 4:45 to 7 p.m, 2nd floor IDEAs clinic, PSE.

Assessment Redesign and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) - (CTE7556), Monday, July 20 & Wednesday, July 22, 1 to 4 p.m., PHY 235. 

Virtual Reality in the Classroom: An Introduction for Instructors – In-Person (TII 5020), Tuesday, July 21, 2 to 3 p.m., LIB 329 (Tech Sandbox)

WaterTalk | Hydrobiogeochemistry and health risks of geogenic contaminants in groundwater systems, presented by Yanxin Wang, China University of Geosciences. Tuesday, July 21, 9 a.m., online via MS Teams.

PhD oral defences

Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kelvin Vianini, "Advancing Characterization of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Implications to Aquatic Phosphorus and Eutrophication in Receiving Streams." Thursday, July 9 at 9 a.m., Remote. Supervisors: Bill Anderson, Civil & Environmental Engineering and Monica Emelko, Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Chemical Engineering, Chaogang Fan, "Development of Hydrogel/Aluminum-based Adsorbent Beads and Membranes for Lithium Extraction from Brines," Wednesday, July 15 at 9 a.m., Remote. Supervisors: Xianshe Feng, Chemical Engineering; Qinmin Pan, Chemical Engineering; and Shaohui Lin, Chemical Engineering.

Civil and Environmental Engineering, Qiutong Yu, "Advancing Large-Sample Rainfall Runoff Modelling with Recurrent Neural Networks under Spatiotemporal Variability," Thursday, July 16 at 9:30 a.m. in E2 2350. Supervisors: Bryan Tolson, Civil & Environmental Engineering and Jimmy Lin, Computer Science.

Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Safura Syed, "Towards meeting the needs for cultural foods in long-term care," Tuesday, July 21 at 9 a.m., EXP 1686 (Hybrid). Supervisor: Heather Keller. Email health.graduate.administration@uwaterloo.ca for a copy.

Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Lanyu Li, "A Data-Assimilation Framework for Bubbly Flows Based on AOT-Nudging and Image Velocimetry," Thursday, July 23 at 9 a.m. in E5 3006. Supervisor: Zhao Pan, Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering.

Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sharafat Ali, "Membrane development for organic solvent nanofiltration: A sustainable solution to chemical separation and purification," Thursday, July 23 at 1 p.m., remote. Supervisor: Xianshe Feng, Chemical Engineering

Systems Design Engineering, Marco Aurelio Moran Ledesma, "Designing Passive Haptic Simulators for Injury Assessment Training," Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m. in PSE 7303 /7363. Supervisors: Mark Hancock, Management Science and Engineering and Oliver Schneider, Management Science and Engineering.

Sociology and Legal Studies, Stacey Colliver, "Whose voices are heard, and at what volume? Examining the forces behind content moderation policy development," Friday, July 24, 11 a.m., PAS 2464 - Hybrid. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer until Friday, July 24. Supervisor: Prof. Jennifer Whitson, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies.

History, Catherine Ramey, "An Educational Mission: Gender, Schools, and Canadian Missionaries in Central Angola, 1880s–1920s," Tuesday, July 28 at 10 a.m., Remote. Supervisor: Prof. Katherine Bruce-Lockhart, Department of History. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer until Tuesday, July 28.

Physics and Astronomy, Cameron Morgan, “Galaxy evolution across the Virgo cluster environment,” Tuesday, July 28 at 1 p.m., PHY 352. Supervisor(s), Dr. Michael Balogh. Visit the Faculty of Science website for details on requesting a copy to review.

Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ahmed Attalla, "Machine Learning-Driven Decision Support Framework to Improve Musculoskeletal Health in Electrical Workers Using Wearable Devices," Tuesday, July 28 at 1 p.m., Remote. Supervisor: Tarek Hegazi, Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Psychology, Sophia Tran, "Drawing benefits memory and comprehension by establishing and strengthening the link between verbal and visual percepts," Wednesday, July 29 at 10 a.m., PAS 2464. Supervisor: Prof. Myra Fernandes, Department of Psychology. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer until July 29.

Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lingshuang Liu, "Data Security and Privacy Preservation for Mobile Edge Computing," Friday, July 31, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., E5 4106-28. Supervisor: Sherman Shen, Electrical & Computer Engineering.

Upcoming service interruptions

Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website.